A/n: I promise we are starting to get into some "meatier" chapters...ff is fail in letting me review reply today;( Sorry...but I do love and read every single one!

So...here is update #2 for today...and there is no abuse mentioned in this chapter. But, don't get to comfortable...it's coming;(

Chapter 6

My phone line rang around ten and I cringed when I answered it as I expected it to be Tanya.

"Edward?" Alice's voice asked across the line.

"Alice." I said, cold and reserved. I couldn't let her see how much I missed her, how much I wanted to see her, hug her, go home with her to see my parents.

"How are you?" She asked with tears in her voice.

"I'm good." I stoically replied.

She sighed.

"Big Brother, I know that you aren't good. Please, please come home, mom and dad are so worried for you. They never sleep, mom always cries for you, I'm begging you." Alice's tears became real and her voice full of pain.

I cleared my throat to hold back my own tears. "Nothing's changed, Alice. Unless they've taken the ultimatum off the table." I bit back a sob.

I didn't care about the money. I never had. That trust fund could sit in the bank until the day I died and go to charity, if I could just have my family back.

"Is she blackmailing you? Is that why you won't drop this and come home? You haven't married her have you? You know she won't ever see a dime of that money as long as Dad is alive." Alice said full out sobs in her voice.

I sighed and sat there as I thought of how to respond, I couldn't admit anything to myself, much less to Alice.

It would destroy our family if I left Tanya.I could never dishonor my family with the scandal that Tanya would bring down on them. This was all my fault, so I would continue to carry the burden. Alone.

"No, Alice. Just no. Listen, I have to go I'm late for a meeting." I lied and quickly hung up the phone.

I sat there for a few minutes and stared at the phone.

Then my own tears fell, hard and I couldn't stop the sobs as they left my body. I leaned my head down into my hands and had a full on pity party for the mess that was my life.

A small knock on the door went unnoticed by me. Before I realized it, Bella sat on her knees beside me as I cried.

I sat up with a jolt as I felt her hand on my shoulder and her words of comfort in my ears.

"Shh, Edward, it's going to be okay. Calm down, tell me what's wrong." Her sweet voice cooed at me.

"What are you doing here, Bella?" I asked as I hastily tried to wipe my face with a tissue I grabbed off my desk.

"Edward, are you okay? Did someone die?" She inquired, her eyes like heat missiles on my face.

I briefly made eye contact while I thought to myself, I'm dead inside, so I might as well be the someone that died.

"I'm fine." I said, as I tried to sound strong and sat up straight while I shuffled some papers on my desk.

Bella stood up and huffed before she walked around my desk and sat in one of my chairs.

"Edward, I'm a very good listener." She said as her eyes crinkled into a soft half-grin.

"Bella, there's nothing to talk about, but I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't say anything to anyone about this, please." I implored her with my eyes to just drop it.

"Okay, but just remember, I'm here if you need help." She stood and walked out of my office. I immediately missed her warmth as she shut the door softly behind her.

Another tear rolled down my cheek as I screamed at her in my head, please rescue me.

A/n: One more for tonight...

Theories?

I promise it is NOT something cheesy...a lot of you have stated he's a lawyer, he knows his rights, why doesn't he just leave. Well, he can't. He just can't. Have you ever had someone have something held over your head? Something that could damage the lives of those around you?

Please remember he was a shy, naïve young man when he met Tanya...and she was...well... NOT naïve or nice or shy...keep that in mind...

Kyla